Stories of Self Defense

Catawba County, NC Homeowner Shoots and Kills Intruder

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A Catawba County homeowner used a shotgun to defend his home against two intruders. Shooting and killing one, while the second is still outstanding. The homeowner initially heard them break in and grabbed his shotgun and called the police. When the intruders kicked in a hall door and came towards the homeowner and his wife, the homeowner he fired one shot, striking one of the intruders in the chest, killing him. The second subject fled the home and is still out standing.

Based on North Carolina law the second intruder will be charged not only with breaking and entering, but also with felony murder because his partner died during the crime.

More from WCNC.com:

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A crime turned deadly in Catawba County Monday, but it was burglar that lost his life. A Claremont homeowner stood his ground and now authorities are looking for another suspect.

The homeowner’s father, Everett Fox, told NBC Charlotte his son’s home has been targeted before.

“Feel real bad about it,” said Fox.

Fox, who lives just down the road, eagerly waited to hear from his son Bruce Monday afternoon.

“He’s been broken into and I’ve been broken into probably four or five times over the years,” said Fox.

Catawba County deputies said two burglars broke into the home on the 7400 block of Riverbend Road in Claremont around 9 a.m. The suspects broke a window around the back of the house and came in through the basement. Meantime Bruce Fox heard the men entering his home and got a 12 gauge shot gun. Fox called police but the men came after him.

“Subject kicks in the door leading into the hallway, he comes down the hallway toward the homeowner and the homeowner fires one shot with the shotgun striking the subject in the chest,” said Sheriff Coy Reid, Catawba Co.

Sheriff Reid said Fox will likely not be charged, but the case will turned over to the district attorney.

“He was afraid that this subject was going to harm him or harm his wife so he has a right to protect himself and he did,” said Reid.

Neighbors in the area reacted to word of the shooting.

“It don’t make me feel good at all but he got what he deserved if he was breaking in,” said Ernest White, of Claremont.

As of Monday evening deputies were still searching for the other burglar who ran away from the scene. Sheriff Coy Reid says that man will face breaking and entering and felony murder charges because his accomplice died during the crime.

In 2011 North Carolina adopted a stand your ground law which allows for use of deadly force in self defense if a person feels their life is threatened.

Homeowners in the area have said homes in the area have been broken into numerous times. This might just be something that helps to stop some of them from continuing to happen. The homeowner is not being charged by the police at this time, but the case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.

This is the 53rd defensive gun use we’ve documented in the state of North Carolina and the 1,401st defensive gun use we’ve documented overall. This is also the 99th shotgun use.